Summer may be drawing to a close, but there's still plenty of time to soak up some great outdoor music.

This Sunday, Aug. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Bethel Summer Concert series will host a free outdoor concert by Cinnamon Sky at the Bethel town gazebo. Cinnamon sky is a roots Americana band with a strong country flavor. In addition to country music, the group's sound incorporates elements of Western, rockabilly, folk, bluegrass and Southern rock.

The band draws inspiration from America's rich and diverse musical traditions, and much like that music, Cinnamon Sky has a long history.

Brad Lewis, the group's lead singer and guitarist, formed the band in 1989. He got the name Cinnamon Sky from a haunting ballad Willie Nelson recorded called "A Horse Called Music." The song opens with the lines "High on a mountain in western Montana, a silhouette cuts cross a Cinnamon Sky, riding along on a horse he called music, with a song on his lips and a tear in his eye." On the band's website, Lewis wrote of the song, "I liked the way it sounded and how it made me feel."

The group was a local favorite for years, playing such venues in the early '90s such as the Levitt Pavilion in Westport and the Oyster Festival in Norwalk. It was voted Country Band With The Most Style in a Fairfield County Readers' Poll in '91. However, by 1992 poor chemistry within the group caused a breakup and Cinnamon Sky disbanded.

Lewis got the group back together about 12 years ago. In addition to Lewis, it features Bob Willaum on dobro, mandolin and guitar, plus the group's original bassist, Ted Ervin, and keyboard player Dave Golden.

Nelson is obviously a big influence on Cinnamon Sky; other influences include the Marshall Tucker Band, John Denver, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Johnny Cash, to name a few.

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes will return to the Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 16, at 8 p.m. This consummate rock band from New Jersey has charted such hits as "I Don't Want To Go Home," "The Fever," "All I Want Is Everything" and "Havin' A Party." The group recently celebrated the release of its latest live album, "Men Without Women: Live 7-2-11." A portion of the proceeds from the playhouse concert will benefit the World War II Foundation.

Dropkick Murphys, the boisterous Irish punk-rock icons from Boston, will perform at Ives Concert Park in Danbury on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. The group's songs include the Irish rock anthem "Shipping Up to Boston," which was memorably featured on the soundtrack of the film "The Departed." The group is touring in support of its eighth full-length album, "Signed and Sealed in Blood." Opening for Dropkick Murphys will be the punk-rock group, Swingin' Utters.

The Ives Concert Park is at 43 Lake Ave. Ext., Danbury. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com, www.ivesconcertpark.com.

Get Spontaneous

The band Spontaneous Combustion will headline the Danbury CityCenter concert series Friday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. The group plays a fusion of blues, classic rock and funk. Brothers of Rock will open at 7 p.m., with Spontaneous Combustion taking the stage at 8.The Danbury Green band shell is between Ives Street and National Place. Free. 203-792-1711, www.citycenterdanbury.com.

Jai-ho Festival

The Jai-ho Indian Festival will return to Danbury on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11:30 a.m. till 10 p.m. The event will celebrate Indian culture and feature authentic music and food.

There's no better cure for a case of the Mondays than a healthy dose of indie rock 'n' roll music. This Monday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m., the Heirloom Arts Theatre will host an evening of music that will cure your Monday blues. Fronting the bill will be the Bulletproof Tiger; also performing will be Elos Arma, Olympus Mons, Mid Atlantic Title, Father Ocean and Langosta.

The Heirloom Arts Theatre is at 155 Main St., Suite 103. Tickets are $8. 917-593-3508, www.heirloomarts.org.

Want your show to be considered for Backstage Pass? Are you a local artist who wants to be profiled? Send an email with all pertinent information about the band and the gig to Erik Ofgang at least two weeks before the show. Send it to erikofgang@gmail.com for consideration.